Community Connector

Job summary

At Farleigh Hospice, we believe that everyone affected by cancer and life-limiting illness should have equal access to compassionate, person-centred care. Yet we know that some communities face barriers to accessing hospice support, often resulting in poorer experiences and later referrals to services.

Thanks to funding from Macmillan Cancer Support, we are recruiting passionate and motivated Community Connectors to work alongside an identified under-represented community such as LGBTQ+ communities, people with learning disabilities, or cultural and faith groups.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new approach to community engagement, improve equity of access to care, and ensure that the voices of local communities influence how hospice services are developed and delivered.

Main duties of the job

As a Community Connector, you will build trusted relationships within your identified community, helping people affected by cancer and life-limiting illness to understand and access hospice support earlier in their journey.

You will work closely with community organisations, leaders, volunteers and people with lived experience to:

• Raise awareness and understanding of hospice and cancer support services.
• Challenge myths, stigma and misconceptions around hospice care.
• Support people and families to access services and navigate care pathways.
• Gather insight from communities about their experiences, needs and barriers.
• Co-design community-led activities and conversations that matter to local people.
• Help Farleigh Hospice learn, adapt and become more culturally responsive and inclusive.

Most importantly, you will act as a bridge between communities and services, ensuring that people's voices are heard and that services better reflect their needs.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for people who may not traditionally access support.

You may come from a health, social care, community development, voluntary sector or advocacy background.

We would particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience, strong links to local communities, or experience working with LGBTQ+, learning disability, culturally diverse or faith communities.

About us

Farleigh Hospice is a high performing organisation providing specialist palliative and end of life care for people with life limiting illness in the Mid Essex region.Our team at Farleigh has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community we serve and we are looking for highly motivated Community Connector to join our team.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Be part of an innovative Macmillan-funded programme.

• Make a tangible difference to people's experiences of care and support.

• Influence how hospice services are developed in partnership with local communities.

• Work in a values-driven organisation committed to equity, inclusion and compassionate care.

• Help create lasting improvements in access, understanding and outcomes for people affected by cancer and life-limiting illness.

We offer a great working environment, a competitive pay and benefit package, flexible working and a strong team to support you.

Farleigh Hospice is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where diversity is recognised and celebrated. To achieve this we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Farleigh Hospice operates a three-month probation period.Positions may be subject to DBS Disclosure.Charity Registration No: 284670

Job responsibilities

The Community Connector role focuses on community engagement, relationship-building and improving access to hospice services for people from under-represented groups.

The postholder will:

Engage directly with communities less likely to access hospice support

Build trusted relationships with community organisations, leaders, and groups

Promote understanding of hospice care and available support

Support individuals to access services at the right time

Identify and address barriers to engagement and access

Feed back community insight to inform service development and improve cultural responsiveness

The role acts as a bridge between communities and hospice services, supporting earlier engagement andimproving equity in access.

Person specification

Skills/Ability/Knowledge

Essential

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding of barriers to accessing health or support services
• Ability to work in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way

Desirable

• Knowledge of local community networks

Qualities/Attributes

Essential

• Confident, approachable and empathetic
• Strong interpersonal and engagement skills
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Motivated and proactive with a can-do attitude
• Emotionally resilient
• Commitment to equity and inclusion

Experience

Essential

• Experience of community engagement, outreach or partnership working
• Experience working with diverse or under-represented groups
• Experience using IT systems for recording and communication

Desirable

• Experience in palliative care, hospice, or health-related services
• Experience of co-production or community-led approaches
• Experience supporting volunteers

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent experience) in health, social care, community work or related field

Other requirements

Essential

• Willingness to travel across Mid-Essex
• Enhanced DBS check
• Commitment to Farleigh Hospice vision, mission and values